Labour plan for open govt

Press, 23 October 1980, Page 4

Labour plan for open govt

PA Wellington The Labour Party would enter next year’s General Election campaign with a seven-point programme on open government, Mr G .W. R. Palmer Lab. Christchurch Central) told Parliament yesterday. Labour’s seven points would satisfy the public’s demand for greater participation in government. . Confidence tn the affairs of government was now at a crisis point because the Government continually Clammed up when it came to releasing information, he said. The public looked for "more democracy and less executive dictatorship” in government. He outlined the seven points of Labour’s policy on open government as: ---Changes to law-making procedures to simplify the law. — G r e > 111 protection against government by regulation and red tape. --Freedom of Information

to lift the veil on government secrecy. —Civil liberties amendments to ensure people’s rights Were properly protected, —A serious examination of a bill of rights. —A reform of local government to devolve decisionmaking power away from the centre. —A reform of Parliament to give It mote power to check the Executive. <• s r Mr Palmer said the seven changes would make the Government more sensitive and accountable to the’public and less secretive. The present Government could easily give more information to the public without any need to pass legislation. in reply, the Under-Secre-tary of Labour (Mr Malcolm) said there was more openness in government In New Zealand than any other country In the world. - There had never been a greater flow of Information on Immigration (far which he Is responsible) than now.